|
July 19, 2019 - In This Issue:
|
|
|
|
|
A Message From Mayor Steve Noble:
|
We have officially launched the Participatory Budgeting Project for 2019. I am excited to get this off the ground after the success of last year's inaugural program. Read more about the process below and cast your vote(s) for projects you'd like to see in the Kingston business districts. We want to hear any and all ideas!
The City is also seeking input on where to put a chess playground, which will be a nice addition to a park or public space. Take the poll and tell us where you'd like to see it built.
We announced this week another round of paving that DPW will start on next week. We also announced the line-up for this summer's Movies Under the Stars line-up and a Bridge Painting Party - two great opportunities to get out and participate in the community. Hope to see you there!
|
|
|
Participatory Budgeting 2019 Has Launched!
The 2019 Participatory Budgeting Project
kicked off with the first public meeting - for Uptown at the LGBTQ Center on Wednesday night. We had some great ideas for the Uptown business district, but we'd still love to hear from more community members who have a connection to the Uptown neighborhood. If you have ideas, please send them to info@kingston-ny.gov by August 1, 2019.
The Participatory Budgeting Project is open for input from the public and we hope to gather a wide range of suggestions. Projects must impact a business district and must be obligated or paid for by December 31, 2019. In some cases, the project's implementation may take place in 2020. It is possible that multiple projects could be selected in a district if the total of those projects does not exceed $20,000.
Two more community visioning sessions have been scheduled:
Monday, July 29, 2019
6:00pm
Hudson River Maritime Museum (50 Rondout Landing)
Wednesday, July 31
6:00pm
Kingston Library (55 Franklin St.)
Mayor Noble introduced Participatory Budgeting in 2018 as a pilot project, wherein each of the three business districts voted on how to allocate $15,000 in funds, for a city-wide total of $45,000. In the 2019 budget, Mayor Noble set aside $20,000 for each district, for a total of $60,000.
When thinking about project ideas, please consider a few things:
a. Will the project positively impact one of the business districts?
b. Can the proposed project be paid for or obligated by 12/31/19?
c. Can the proposed project be completed for under $20,000?
d. Does the proposal conflict with any current/upcoming projects in the same area?
We hope to see you at the visioning meetings or hear your suggestions at info@kingston-ny.gov by August 1. In early August, we'll put out a public survey for all the ideas to be voted on in each district.
Uptown Participatory Budgeting Visioning Meeting
|
|
KPRT Bridge Painting Party on July 30
In preparation of the opening of the Kingston Point Rail Trail, the City of Kingston will be throwing a community Bridge Painting Party. The bridge over 9-W, which is part of the Kingston Point Rail Trail and the larger Greenline trail system, is in need of a fresh coat of paint to prepare it for the official opening of the trail. Mayor Noble invites all members of the community to join in beautifying this bridge for the grand opening of the Kingston Point Rail Trail Phase #1 later this summer.
The 9-W Bridge is currently covered with graffiti and tags. Working with students from DRAW and BARK, and other stakeholders like O+ and Into Yellow, we created a concept to give the bridge a fresh coat of paint while maintaining its artistic look and authentic feel. Together, we decided to create a stencil which will leave some of the spray paint visible while covering up any undesirable messages and images.
The Bridge Painting Party will give attendees a sneak peek of the trail, which is nearly completed but not currently open to the public. Remaining projects include installing the raised sidewalk across Delaware Ave, paving additional sections, finishing the trailhead construction, and planting flower and shrubs along the trail. Once the finishing touches are in place, Mayor Noble will officially open the trail to the public with a ribbon cutting ceremony, and will give a guided tour of the trail. The Bridge Painting Party was made possible by the generous donation of paint and supplies from Herzog's Home and Paint Centers.
The Kingston Point Rail Trail Phase #1 is a paved public path that stretches from E. Chester Street at Jansen Ave to Garraghan Drive and 9-W at Rondout Gardens and will provide a safe, ADA accessible pedestrian and bicycle route from the waterfront area to Midtown Kingston. The project was funded by grants from NYSERDA's Cleaner, Greener Communities Program, OPRHP's Heritage Area Systems Program and their Recreational Trails Program.
Kingston Point Rail Trail Bridge Painting Party
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
4:00-7:00pm
Meet at the 9-W Bridge
The 9-W Bridge on the Kingston Point Rail Trail
|
|
Ribbon Cutting at Front Street Tavern
Ribbon Cutting at Front Street Tavern
|
|
Round Three of Paving in 2019 Announced
This week we announced the third round of paving of City of Kingston streets in 2019. Beginning July 24, 2019, and weather depending, five streets will be milled and paved:
Trenton Street, off of Andrew St.
Jervis Street, off of Andrew St.
A portion of Brewster Street
Peter Street, off of Andrew St.
Augusta Street, from Andrew St. to the dead-end
There may be detours and changes in traffic patterns due to this work. Property owners and residents will be notified by mail and are asked to keep all vehicles off the street during paving. Roadwork is expected to be completed on July 29, weather depending.
Round 1 of paving, which was completed in early May, included sections of Wilbur Avenue and South Washington Avenue, Petit Avenue, Klingberg Avenue and Condie Street. Round 2 of paving, which was completed in mid-June, included Newkirk Avenue, Hanratty Street, Delaware Ave from Corporate Drive to the intersection of 9-W, and Hasbrouck Ave from Delaware Ave to East Chester St.
The next round of paving is expected to be announced in the next couple of weeks.
|
|
Chess Playground Public Poll Open
The
City of Kingston has been awarded $11,000 from the
AARP Community Challenge to build a "chess playground." The outdoor chess playground will consist of two chess tables, four benches, possibly a shade structure, and a monthly chess meetup. This quick-action project will be built in a park or public space and will be completed and installed by November 4, 2019.
The site of the chess playground has not yet been determined, and the City is asking for feedback from the community for the best location. A public poll can be taken
here, and will be open until July 31, 2019 at 4:00pm.
|
|
Movies Under the Stars Announced
Mayor Steve Noble and the City of Kingston Parks and Recreation Department are pleased to announce the return of the City's popular "Movies Under the Stars" program, a series of five free outdoor movie events held in Kingston's parks and public spaces.
"I'm looking forward to another great summer of movies in the parks," said Mayor Noble. "This is a beloved tradition, and we invite everyone to join each of these Friday night events. Pack a chair or blanket, bring the whole family, and spend some time together enjoying nature."
Films are shown at 8:30pm on each of the scheduled movie dates. In the event of rain, notifications about postponements or cancellations will be posted at www.kingston-ny.gov and on the City's Facebook page.
2019 Movies Under the Stars schedule:
|
|
|
|
Friday, July 26
|
Mary Poppins Returns
|
Academy Green
|
|
Friday, August 2
|
Remember the Titans
|
Forsyth Park
|
|
Friday, August 9
|
The Rondout: Then & Now |
T. R. Gallo Park |
|
Friday, August 16
|
Aquaman
|
Kingston Point Beach
|
|
Friday, August 30
|
Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein
|
Loughran Park
|
|
|
Volunteer for a Board or Commission
A great way to get involved in the community is to volunteer on a Board or Commission. The City has 25 different Boards and Commissions - from the Arts Commission to the Zoning Board of Appeals - all populated by engaged citizens who want to make a difference in their community. There are currently openings on the Complete Streets Advisory Council, the Historic Landmarks Preservation Commission, the Heritage Area Commission as well as a representative of Kingston for the Ulster County Planning Board.
Interested parties should put in an application
here
.
|
Kingston Happenings 
The City of Kingston often receives requests to share upcoming events happening in our community. Our partners at
KingstonHappenings.org
do an excellent job of centralizing this community information. So while our website is the best resource to gain information about City of Kingston sponsored events and important municipal information, Kingston Happenings can give you a greater preview of community events. Check them out today!
|
|
|
|
|
